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Measure T Library Tax Stanislaus County 2/3 Approval Required
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Pass:
55,863 /
81.93% Yes votes ......
12,324 /
18.07% No votes
| Results as of Jun 18 2:21pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (387/387) |
| Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||
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To maintain local library funding the State cannot take, keep branches open, maintain hours, provide programs for children, teens, adults and seniors, children's storytimes, literacy, homework and job search resources, maintain book, CD, DVD and reference; shall Stanislaus County extend the existing one-eighth of one percent library sales tax for 5 years commencing July 1, 2013 until June 30, 2018, with an independent citizens oversight committee ensuring funds are spent only on Stanislaus County libraries?
Measure "T" is placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Government Code §§53722 and 53724. Prior to July 1, 1995, due to State budget actions, the Countywide Library suffered severe budget reductions causing an inability to provide adequate library services to County residents. Effective January 1, 1995, the state enacted a law authorizing the Board of Supervisors to adopt a Library use and transaction "sales" tax at the rate of one-eighth of one percent for periods of five years, subject to a two-thirds vote of those voting in an election on the measure. On March 7, 1995, County Ordinance CS-581 received more than a two-thirds vote and resulted in a Library Sales Tax from July 1, 1995 through June 30, 2000. On June 8, 1999, County Ordinance CS-690 received more than a two- thirds vote and resulted in the tax being adopted from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2005. In June of 2004 more than two-thirds of the voters approved the measure which extended the special library tax through June 30, 2013. That measure was based upon Revenue and Taxation Code §7286.59 which authorizes a one-eighth of the one percent tax similar to the two prior measures approved by more than two-thirds vote in both 1995 and 1999. That measure authorized the imposition of a one-eighth of one percent sales tax solely for the purpose of funding countywide library programs and operations for a period of eight years from July 2, 2005 through June 30, 2013. The library tax is due to expire on June 30, 2013, unless this measure is adopted. The Board of Supervisors has adopted ordinance CS-1108 imposing a one- eighth of one percent transaction and use tax for County library purposes in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Revenue and Taxation Code §7286.59 and which is subject to the approval by the voters of the County by a two-thirds vote of those voters voting on this measure. If this measure fails to pass by the required two-thirds vote, countywide library programs and operations may have to be severely cut back. If approved by two-thirds of those voting, the one-eighth of one percent library transaction and use tax will be collected and administered for the County by the State Board of Equalization, effective July 1, 2013. --A "Yes" Vote approves a transaction and use tax of one-eighth of one percent for a period not to exceed fi ve years from July1, 2013 through June 30, 2018. --A "No" Vote disapproves a transaction and use tax of one-eighth of one percent for a period not to exceed fi ve years from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2018. JOHN P. DOERING, County Counsel s/ Dean Wright, Deputy The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "T". If you desire a copy of the ordinance, please call the Elections Officials Office at 525-5000, and a copy will be mailed at no cost.
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| Arguments For Measure T |
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Measure T saves Stanislaus County libraries, without raising or adding new taxes. While demands for library services from students, seniors, innovators and job seekers are skyrocketing, our libraries are doing more with less, working hard to improve efficiency, and delivering cost effective quality services.
But if Measure T doesn't pass, many - if not all - library branches in the county will close. Just examine the facts: Measure T is not a new tax. It merely continues the current one-eighth of a penny sales tax previously approved and renewed by county voters. These funds amount to 87% of the money our libraries need to operate each year. This money can only be used for libraries. It can't be taken by the state or county and diverted for other uses. An independent citizens' oversight committee is written into the measure to ensure funds are being spent in the way voters approved. This measure automatically expires in 5 years and can't be extended without approval by two-thirds of voters. A Yes vote on Measure T will help: keep books and materials current; preserve programs families value like story times for children; give teens a safe place to study and prepare for college; keep up successful programs to combat illiteracy in the county; maintain services for seniors like large print books and computer training; keep up job search resources for workers; provide free access to public computers and wireless internet; and maintain collections of CD's, DVD's, audio and e-books. Most importantly - Measure T will keep our libraries open and prevent branches from closing altogether! Join the League of Women Voters, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, Modesto Chamber of Commerce, educators, law enforcement, and hundreds of leaders in every community who are fighting to save our libraries. Vote Yes on Measure T.
s/ Susan M. Novak, President, League of Women Voters of Stanislaus County
(No arguments against Measure T were submitted) |
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Created: July 10, 2012 10:57 PDT
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